FUNCTION: [Summary is not available for the mouse gene. This summary is for the human ortholog.] The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic actin-binding protein thought to play a role in the process of neuronal growth. It is a member of the drebrin family of proteins that are developmentally regulated in the brain. A decrease in the amount of this protein in the brain has been implicated as a possible contributing factor in the pathogenesis of memory disturbance in Alzheimer's disease. At least two alternative splice variants encoding different protein isoforms have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008] PHENOTYPE: Mice homozygous for a knock-out allele display impaired cued conditioning behavior. Mice homozygous for a different knock-out allele show altered neurotransmitter receptor levels in protein complexes, abnormal dendritic spine morphology, and impaired synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. [provided by MGI curators]